Category: travel photography

The Isle of Skye is a beautiful island off the North West coast of Scotland. With it’s rugged landscape, dramatic mountains, gorgeous coastline, lochs, and ever changing light – it’s a mystical and enchanting destination with something for everyone – a utopia for travellers, walkers, climbers, photographers, fishermen (and fisherwomen), bird-watchers, food-lovers, whisky drinkers and lovers of music amongst the many reasons for visiting.

I visited for the first time this August – I’m Scottish, so I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get there, but it has. I had heard tales of busy roads, full car-parks and many, many visitors during the busy months of July and August, but I have to say I was truly shocked at the sheer number of tourists, cars and camper-vans on the island. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry to dash round the island in a whistle stop fashion – only stopping for a moment for a group photograph at an iconic viewpoint, before moving onto the next.

Don’t misunderstand me – my intention in writing this it not too deter anyone heading here. However, many of the roads are single-track – the pace of travel is slow and the essential passing places are not to be used for car-parking or no-one can get anywhere. Sadly – especially around the tourist spots – this was a common problem.With travel grinding to a halt and the grass verges on roads being chewed up with drivers having to struggle to pass each other. A little bit of common sense and respect wouldn’t go amiss.

Please go and appreciate the wonder of Skye – but respect is needed, and maybe July and August is not the time to go….